Evidence of yttrium silicate inclusions in YSZ-porcelain veneers

A thick frame decreases the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics used for zirconia-based all-ceramic restorations

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of firing condition and thickness of a yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) frame on the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics.

METHODS

Layering and pressable ceramics without frames or on 0.8- and 1.2-mm-thick Y-TZP frames were fired with 5 schedules (normal and 4 customized conditions). The fracture toughness of the ceramics was measured at 0.5-2.5mm from the frame by the indentation fracture method. Crystal structures at the measurement points were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

Under customized firing conditions, the fracture toughness of the layering ceramic significantly decreased, particularly near the frame. Use of a 1.2-mm-thick frame significantly decreased the fracture toughness of both layering and pressable ceramics compared to ceramics without the frame. The decreased fracture toughness only occurred close (0.5 and 1.0mm) to the frame. XRD analysis showed identical diffraction patterns between points near and far from the frame, suggesting that the decreased fracture toughness was not due to crystal defects or impurities. SEM revealed many microcracks and large crystals in layering ceramic near the 1.2-mm-thick frame, possibly resulting from the thermal properties of the zirconia frame, such as large heat capacity and low thermal conductivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Modification of the firing conditions from the manufacturer's instructions and inclusion of a thick Y-TZP frame decreased the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics at the interface, suggesting that a thick frame would pose a potent fracture risk in veneering ceramics used for zirconia-based all-ceramic restorations.

Effect of liner and porcelain application on zirconia surface structure and composition

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an effect of liner and porcelain application (layering and pressing techniques) on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP), which were exposed to permutations of liner, layered porcelain, and pressed porcelain. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) was used to identify changes in composition and microstructure after removing liner and porcelain with hydrofluoric acid. Simulated aging was also conducted to determine the effect of liner and porcelain on low-temperature degradation. The control group had a typical equiaxed grain structure, referred to as unaffected. When covered with liner or porcelain, some areas changed in structure and composition and were termed affected. The frequency of affected structure decreased when liner was covered with either layered porcelain or pressed porcelain. There were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition between affected and unaffected for zirconium (layered porcelain with liner: affected=60% (0.8%) (m/m), unaffected=69% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=59% (3%), unaffected=65% (3%)) and oxygen (layered porcelain with liner: affected=35% (2%), unaffected=26% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=35% (3%), unaffected=30% (2%)). However, there were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition for zirconium and oxygen of the aged layered porcelain without liner only. The liner should not be used before porcelain application, especially when using the layering technique for zirconia restorations. Furthermore, pressing should be considered the technique of choice over layering.

Evaluation of zirconia-porcelain interface using X-ray diffraction

The aim of this study was to determine if accelerated aging of porcelain veneering had an effect on the surface properties specific to a tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation (TMT) of zirconia restorations. Thirty-six zirconia samples were milled and sintered to simulate core fabrication followed by exposure to various combinations of surface treatments including as-received (control), hydrofluoric acid (HF), application of liner plus firings, application of porcelain by manual layering and pressing with firing, plus accelerated aging. The quantity of transformed tetragonal to monoclinic phases was analyzed utilized an X-ray diffractometer and one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze data. The control samples as provided from the dental laboratory after milling and sintering process had no TMT (X_m = 0). There was an effect on zirconia samples of HF application with TMT (X_m = 0.8%) and liner plus HF application with TMT (X_m = 8.7%). There was an effect of aging on zirconia samples (no veneering) with significant TMT (X_m = 70.25%). Both manual and pressing techniques of porcelain applications reduced the TMT (manual, X_m = 4.41%, pressing, X_m = 11.57%), although there was no statistical difference between them. It can be concluded that simulated applications of porcelain demonstrated the ability to protect zirconia from TMT after aging with no effect of a liner between different porcelain applications. The HF treatment also caused TMT.